Blind Citizens Australia and the NDIS

BCA made the decision not to become a service provider under the NDIS. This decision means that as an organisation BCA can provide you with independent, unbiased advice on the NDIS as there is no financial incentive.

Submissions

For details on submissions made by BCA around the NDIS, see our Submissions page.

Future Work

BCA was recently awarded funding under the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building grants program in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and in South Australia.

We are currently developing a project plan for these grants and will provide you with more information in the coming weeks.

Fact Sheets

Below, you will find a series of fact sheets and resources developed by Blind Citizens Australia that will provide you with blindness specific information on the NDIS.

If you are new to the scheme, it may benefit you to read through the fact sheets in order. Otherwise, simply access the ones that relate to your current needs.

Other Resources

National Disability Insurance Scheme Website

NDIS Price Guide

Pricing for NDIS approved services can be accessed on the NDIS website also. The current NDIS Price Guide is available HERE in Word format.

Reasonable and Necessary Checklist – The Growing Space

If you manage your plan yourself, or have a plan manager and are unsure about whether a support you want to purchase meets the NDIS criteria of ‘Reasonable and Necessary’, this checklist may help you come to a decision.

Every Australian Counts

The Every Australian Counts website contains links to a number of resources developed by state and federal governments, disability service providers and related organisations as well as general information on the NDIS.

“Reasonable and Necessary” The Podcast – The Summer Foundation

Dr Taleporos of the Summer Foundation presents a weekly podcast on the NDIS, breaking down different aspects of the scheme for listeners. Podcasts are available through the iTunes app or at the link below.

Quality and Safeguards Commission

On 1st July 2018 the Quality and Safeguards Commission was launched in New South Wales and South Australia. Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory will join the commission on 1st July 2019 and Western Australia on 1st July 2020.

The commission is now responsible for registering NDIS providers in those states. They also handle complaints about service providers and deal with reportable incidents of abuse and neglect.

The commission is not responsible for complaints about an individual’s plan; these must continue to be lodged with the National Disability Insurance Agency or the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Complaints about the National Disability Insurance Agency can also be made directly to the agency or the commonwealth ombudsman.

As the commission is very new, there is not a great deal of information available about their work at the moment, we will continue to update you on this as it becomes available. In the meantime, information about the commission is available at their website: